First published in 1947 The Essentials of Liberal Judaism explores the fundamental ideas of liberal Judaism. Rabbi Israel Mattuck explains that liberal Judaism is concerned not only with the question, where shall we find the teachings of Judaism, but also with the question, how shall we find them? He discusses important themes like conception of God in Judaism; grounds for the belief in God; problem of evil; guidance of God in human history; sin, repentance and atonement; Judaism and the social order; liberal Judaism and orthodox Judaism; differences between Judaism and Christianity and what it means to be a Jew, to argue that it is the fundamental principle of liberal Judaism that Judaism is a developing religion. This book is a must read for scholars of Judaism, history of Judaism, and religion.
Introduction 1. The Conception of God in Judaism 2. The Attributes of God 3. Grounds for the Belief in God 4. God and the Universe 5. The Problem of Evil 6. God and Man 7. The Guidance of God in Human History 8. God’s Guidance in the Lives of Individuals 9. Prayer 10. Sin, Repentance and Atonement 11. The Worship of God 12. Judaism and the Social Order 13. The Messianic Idea 14. The Mission of Israel 15. Liberal Judaism and Orthodox Judaism 16. Differences between Judaism and Christianity 17. The Holy Days 18. What it Means to be a Jew Appendix
Biography
Israel I. Mattuck
